New Nissan JUKE revealed

The bigger, smarter second-generation Nissan JUKE has been unveiled simultaneously in London, Paris, Barcelona, Milan and Cologne, revealing an evolution of the oddball compact SUV's unconventional design incorporating several unique new selling points.

These include vehicle access (door un/lock) via smartphone, Bose speakers embedded in the front head restraints and Google Assistant functionality providing control over vehicle lights and navigation systems.

The all-new Nissan JUKE will arrive in European showrooms from November and is expected to arrive Down Under in 2020, although Nissan Australia is yet to confirm its local release, saying only that it is "definitely interested" in the new model.

Once again the compact SUV will duke it out against the likes of the avant-garde Toyota C-HR, top-selling Mitsubishi ASX, and the popular Hyundai Kona and Mazda CX-3.

First released in 2010, the original JUKE is currently priced from $23,490, but whether its replacement -- which will continue to be built at Nissan's Sunderland plant in the UK -- can match that price post-Brexit, let alone compete with cut-price rivals like the upcoming Hyundai Venue, remains to be seen.

Potentially helping its cause will be a smaller, more efficient and cheaper 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine producing 86kW of power, 180Nm of torque and up to 200Nm in overboost mode (sustained full throttle, lasting 25 seconds).

In Europe, Nissan will offer two gearboxes with the new JUKE, a price-leading six-speed manual and a more premium seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, which replaces the current model's CVT.

According to the spec sheet, the new Nissan JUKE auto will accelerate to 100km/h in 10.4 seconds (manual: 11.1sec) and both versions will offer a top speed of 180km/h.

As yet there's no mention of whether the British-built compact SUV is front-wheel drive only, or all-wheel drive in top-spec form as is currently the case.

Nissan has not released fuel consumption or CO2 emissions data but promises the new model will deliver improved fuel economy. By that measure, the new model will consume less fuel than the current 1.2-litre turbo-petrol JUKE's 5.6L/100km.

Naturally, the new JUKE continues its unorthodox predecessor's penchant for eccentric design cues, retaining its bulbous headlights and curvaceous profile while adding slim-line LED daytime running lights and the latest version of Nissan's V-motion grille.

Nissan's spin doctors describe the 2020 JUKE as a 'sleek crossover' with an athletic stance and a floating roof design.

A variety of wheels will be offered, from 16-inch steel rims with plastic hub caps, right up to fancy-schmancy 19-inch alloys.

Based on a lighter, stiffer platform architecture that enables more techno-doodads, including semi-automated 'ProPilot' self-driving systems, the new JUKE can now steer, accelerate and brake by itself for the first time.

Although standard features and spec levels are not yet set in stone, available safety features will include blind spot intervention (a segment-first, claims Nissan) and intelligent lane intervention, both of which will actively steer the car back into its lane if it detects potential risks.

Autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with cyclist and pedestrian detection is offered, as is rear cross traffic alert, a 360-degree surround-view parking camera, traffic sign recognition, rear cross traffic alert and driver fatigue warning systems.

Nissan's quirky compact SUV has grown in length, width and height, from 4135x1765x1565mm to 4210x1800x1595mm respectively. This provides more interior space, claims Nissan, while increasing boot space by 20 per cent -- up from 354 to a sizeable 422 litres.

Rear seat space has improved as a result of the car's larger exterior dimensions and prospective buyers can choose from 11 colours, including the new Fuji Sunset crimson metallic hue.

Nissan says sportier calibration of the independent front and twist-beam rear suspension combines with a stiffer platform to deliver "better stability, performance and cornering capabilities".

Tipping the scales at 1212kg, Nissan says the new JUKE is also 23kg lighter than its predecessor.

Interior fit and finish is claimed to be improved with premium soft-touch dash materials, sportier 'monoform' seats and optional leather or Alcantara seat upholstery. The 2020 JUKE promises improved driver comfort, better ergonomics and more storage.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will be standard across the range, with an 8.0-inch infotainment touch-screen system standard on all models except the base grade in Europe.

Improved smartphone integration allows owners to lock or unlock their car with their phone and check several other car systems, including tyre pressures, remotely.

Google Assistant compatibility allows users to toggle vehicle lights and sat-nav destinations, while top-end model-grades get an eight-speaker Bose Personal Plus sound system. This comprises a pair of Bose UltraNearfield speakers imbedded into the front seat head restraints to deliver what Nissan says is high-fidelity audio output.

Nissan promises "a new level of personalisation" availability for range-topping models, which will provide scope for a multitude of roof, body, bumper, side skirt, 19-inch alloy wheel and interior colour combos.

It's not clear if Nissan's high-performance arm, NISMO, will develop a follow-up model to the range-topping Nissan JUKE NISMO RS (from $37,790).

Nevertheless, Nissan reckons the new JUKE 'reinvents' the compact SUV segment, in which the original captured the imagination of the Euro Zone almost a decade ago, with almost a million sales under its belt in Europe.

It's been a moderate success in Australia since 2011 but in recent times sales have fallen off a cliff and now account for a tiny 0.4 per cent share of the small SUV segment.

Stay tuned for more details.